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New Years day on the Winnipesaukee River in NH has been an MVP tradition for decades.

This year marks the 36th annual run.

We will be renting the Unitarian Church Hall on Central St. in Franklin NH. Take interstate 93 to exit 20.Take a right on NH rt 3, 11 to Franklin approximately 4.5 miles.Going South on Rt 3 (Central St) you go past the Mill Wheel (Trestle View Park), Past Grevior's Furniture over the Bridge and take a Right into LUCKIE LENNYS Parking Lot the Unitarian Church is right there! Across from Packer's Outlet. Hall Opens at 9:00 AM.Paddlers can meet there to change and get a quick snack and hot drink before running the river. Shuttle at 10:00 boat at 10:30 Back to Hall for Pot Roast Dinner at 1:00 and back on the road by 4:00 pm!

The one and only MVP New Years Day Icicle run (aka , the Hell on New Years Hangover kayaking event) on the Winni in Franklin and Tilton.

We are working on obtaining the Unitarian church for a place to warm up and change clothing. Expect we'll have the building from 9 to 3. The last hour we will need to clean up and clear out.

We are planning on executive chef ( Nancy) providing stuff shells and all the fixin's ( subject ot chefs whim to change to something else) . Planning on about 50 people. BYOB for beer/wine etc and we welcome something to share (Lynns jello shots come fondly to mind, but cakes, brownies, cookies etc are nice too). Last year we did a dry/canned food drive to help the local food pantry. We would like to do this again this year, with the donations going to help the local soup kitchen.

There are two river sections that will be paddled on New Years Day. The traditional Northfield to Franklin run (class III) starts on Cross Mill Rd. in Northfield. This river segment is about 1-1/4 mile long and will take about 30 to 45 minutes to run. For description and directions go to the American Whitewater website at: Lower Winni Webpage. In 2009 the average run time was under 15 minutes, and due to the weather, thawing time at the church took longer to get out of our ice enclosed clothing than the run took, but everyone who came had fun, especially the crew that did multiple runs.

The upper section (class I-II) starts out in Tilton just south of the Kentucky Fried Chicken on NH 140. This section is suitable for novice boaters. It is approximately 2 miles long and should take about 45 minutes to an hour to complete. More information including description and directions here: Upper Winni webpage

Please note these are not official trips they are only notification of paddlers meeting locations and times in order to make paddlers aware of a meeting and launch point of “common adventurers”. Each paddler is responsible for his or herself being properly equipped for the conditions to be encountered that day. That means PFD’s, wet suits, dry suits, gloves, helmets, booties, etc. Furthermore, each individual is responsible for their own safety, you should have the skills and physical conditioning to be able to perform or assist in self rescue and not put your fellow paddler in danger by being irresponsible.

Non Boaters and boaters from other clubs are welcome. We are asking for a few volunteers to help shuttle, help out in the kitchen and clean up afterwards. This year the we will continue to press for the Winnipesaukee Recreational plan. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is in the process of creating a Lake / River management plan that will affect flows on the river.

Winnipesaukee Recreational Plan: Info at: Winni Proposal. We need backing on this from the paddling community. We are looking for summertime releases on this river and this event will help publicize our request. Make sure you tell the press you are in favor of summer time recreational releases on the Winnipesaukee River

This is a prime opportunity to get our voices heard on this matter. We will get front page news coverage on this, better than sending hundreds of letters to the legislators.

Please show up and support us on this, a huge turn out will be bigger news!!